Delta Killings: Troops Recover High-grade Weaponry And Arrest 3 Community Leaders

THREE Olota community leaders in Ughelli South LGA of Delta have reportedly been taken into custody by Nigerian Army troops from 63 Brigade in relation to the deaths of 17 officers.

The army personnel were killed on March 14, while on a peacekeeping assignment in the Okuama community.

The arrests took place on Wednesday, according to Zagazola Makama, a security analyst and expert in counterinsurgency in the Lake Chad region.

Two speed boats with 75 horsepower outboard engines were used to catch the three community leaders who were allegedly planning an escape.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had designated eight people sought, including Clement Oghenerukevwe, the monarch of the Ewu-Urhobo kingdom, even though the jailed community leaders were not identified.

According to Zagazola, the military's arduous pursuit of the officers' murders and masterminds led them to search outside Okuama, culminating in the three people's detention.

Additionally, other weapons and ammunition thought to have been stored for intercommunal conflicts were said to have been found by the forces.

Read Also: Delta Killings: Okuama Leaders Need To Provide The Offenders — General Sura

“Zagazola learnt that in the course of the raids, cordon and searches being conducted, the troops recovered assorted high-caliber military-grade weapons in many of the communities where the operation is going on,” the publication said.

“In one of such searches, the troops stormed the residence of one Mr Kenneth in Olota who escaped on sighting the soldiers.

“The team discovered one G3 rifle, 853 rounds of 7.62 MM Nato and 19 rounds of 7.62 Special MM in his house.

“A further search of other locations within the community led to the discovery of 4 G3 fifties and Magazines, one pump action gun and 3 SMGs, Magazines and 476 cartridges.”

The publication reported that the forces had followed orders to seize weapons and ammunition and disarm the towns, citing an intelligence source.

President Bola Tinubu and the military high command pledged that those responsible for the army personnel's deaths would face justice.